Wuthrich, Magdalena Witmer (1836-1931)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1931 Sep 16 p. 4

Birth date: 1836 Dec 15

text of obituary:

Grandma Wuthrich

Magdalena Witmer Wuthrich was born December 14, 1836 in Canton, Berne, Switzerland. When a child of four years her dear mother died which handicapped her early training greatly, yet she enjoyed the privilege of being reared in her father's Christian home.

At the age of sixteen years she was baptized upon her confession of faith in God by Elder Ulrich Steiner and was united with the Anabaptist church.

On Oct. 27, 18856 she was united in marriage at the age of 20 years to John Wuthrich, the young couple going to near Bawyl, Switzerland to reside. There they encountered financial difficulties and adversities and in the hope of relieving their distress they sailed for America in the psirng of 1883, settling on a farm near Whitewater, Kan. Here they attended the services of the Emmaus Mennonite church until the Swiss Menonite church was organized. They were loyal supporters of the church remaining faithful to it until the end.

Eight children were born to this couple, three daughters and one son preceding the parents in death. Her husband died on Feb. 16, 1908. The passing of their son, John brought unspeakable grief to the couple, for they, being wee advanced in years had placed much of the responsibility of the home upon his shoulders, altho he was quite young.

Mother Wuthrich was the last surviving member of his father's family, her parents, three sisters and one brother, having passed on. Her husband was eighty=four years old at the time of his death.

She passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, Sep. 8, 1831 [sic 1931] at the age of ninety-four years, eight months and 24 days at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Otto Ingold, of Whitewater, leaving four children. These were the daughter with whom she made her home, Mrs. P. J. Harms of Whitewater, Miss Anna Wuthrich of Kansas City, Mo., and Fred Wuthrich of Whitewater. She is also survived by 28 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, besides a host of friends.

The funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10 at the Swiss Mennonite church near Whitewater. Interment was made in the church cemetery.